Please enjoy chapter nine. That's all I have to say this morning.

Chapter Nine – Consider It

Several weeks had passed since Edward and I started seeing one another. We met up on nearly a daily basis. It was nice to look forward to something. I usually hung around in Alice's apartment, waiting for her to come home.

Today, I was a bit nervous. Edward was picking me up and taking me to his fancy restaurant to meet the manager. Edward had helped me make a resume, he insisted that I didn't need it, but, I it made me feel like I wasn't using him.

Alice helped me plan an outfit, she was excited that I was interviewing for a job. It wasn't that she was trying to push me out or anything, just that she wanted me to get back out there. I whole heartedly agreed with her.

Edward picked me up around lunchtime, we were going to grab lunch before the interview.

"Hey, good lookin'," Edward smiled as he opened his car door, "How you doing?"

I chuckled and slid into the seat, giving him a little peck on his lips.

"I'm fine, just a little nervous."

"Ah, nothing to be nervous about. You've already got the job. This is all just a formality." He said, driving off.

"Eh, still," I sighed, "What are we doing for lunch?" I asked.

"I don't know, I was really feeling some Chinese." He said.

I made a face, "Alice and I had Chinese last night."

He turned to give me a serious look, "And I wasn't invited? What the heck."

I couldn't help but laugh, "Sorry, Alice just brought it home."

He sighed, "Ugh, the betrayal."

"I'm sorry!" I snorted a laugh.

"Okay, I'll forgive you, this one time," he chuckled, "What about Noodles and company?"

"I kinda want a cheeseburger." I blushed.

"Okay little carnivore. Burgers it is," he smiled.

"We can do Noodles and company later? Like tomorrow or another day?" I asked.

A slight blush appeared across his cheeks, "Um, what about tonight?"

"Tonight?"

"Yeah, tonight," he cleared his throat, "Like, maybe we can pick it up and go back to my house and watch Netflix?" He said.

"Oh," I said, pausing a bit, "Um I-I don't know if I'm really ready to… to um—."

"No! Nothing like that, I swear. Just to hangout, no Netflix and chilling I swear," he said, "But, if you're not comfortable with that, it's fine." He smiled.

I nodded, "Thank you."

He reached over and grabbed my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine. When he first did this, I'd be a little apprehensive and slow to curl my fingers around his, but, as time went on and we spent more time together, I found myself trusting him more.

We found a small diner that supposedly made the best burgers. We settled in a booth near the large window.

"So, I'm thinking about buying a flower shop," Edward said as he sipped his coffee.

"A flower shop, why?" I asked.

"I don't know, I like flowers and shit. Plus, I sold the warehouse and I need something else to occupy my time." He said.

"A flower shop would be nice," I said, "Is there any particular one you're looking at?"

"There's one on Second street that's going out of business. I figure if I buy it, I wouldn't have to go through a whole hiring process. I could just keep the people who work there." He said.

"Hmm, I think you should do it." I smiled.

He smiled back, "My biggest supporter. My dad thinks it isn't such a good idea. Flower shops aren't really so popular, but, it would be something different."

"I mean it wouldn't hurt to try," I said before biting into my burger, "Why doesn't you dad really support you buying businesses?"

"My dad wanted me to be a doctor, but, I was more interested in buying business." He said.

"But, wait, I thought your dad owned businesses too?" I asked confused.

"He does, but just one the side," he said as he bit into a fry, "But he's more so irritated that I have a doctorates degree and I don't use it."

"Wait, you're a doctor?" I said.

"Technically yes, school-wise, but I didn't fully finish the last bit of my residency. So, it's not like I could walk into a hospital and get a job. I'd have to finish." He said.

"Wow, that's pretty cool and makes me feel really unaccomplished." I blushed.

He made a face, "Don't compare yourself, it's not good for you. I'm older, so, I have different accomplishments. You can always go back to school. I'd help you."

I made a face back, "No more helping, I feel like a charity case," I said, "And I don't really know what I'd go to school for. Right now, all I want is to be more independent."

"That's a good goal, but, you're pretty independent. And I will help you, if you need it." He said.

An Hour Later

After lunch, Edward and I drove to his restaurant. My stomach started twisting in knots. Even though Edward has assured me I'm getting the job, it still made me nervous. I wasn't really keen on meeting new people.

Edward pulled into the restaurant; I looked up at the large sign, 'Lotus.'

"Why did you name your restaurant after a flower?" I asked as we got out.

"Because it's my mom's favorite flower. Also, it sounds really swanky." He said, looping his arm through mine.

I took a shaky breath, "I'm really nervous."

"It's okay, don't be." He said as he kissed my cheek.

The restaurant was busier than I expected. It was the lunch rush and the staff were working diligently. Edward nodded to a few of them before walking into the manager's office.

"Hey, Marcus," Edward smiled and shook the older man's hand.

"Nice to see you Edward, how are you doing?" He asked.

"I'm good, how about you? Everything running smoothly?"

"I'm great, and business is running just as smooth as ever," he said, then looked to me, "Isabella I presume?"

I extended my hand, "Yes, it's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," he smiled.

"Well, I'm going to step out so you two can talk about the job," Edward said before leaving.

"Please, sit," Marcus said, "Edward talks highly of you."

I blushed, "That's nice of him."

"Mmm hmm," He said looking over my resume, "So, this is sort of demanding job. Remembering orders, getting them out of time, getting them correct, being polite. How do you think you'd do as a waitress here?"

I shifted nervously in my seat, "Well, I'm a quick learner, and I try my hardest at everything I do. And I'm really good at remembering things."

He nodded, "Alright, if you're sure you can be trained quickly, I'll give you a shot—,"

I interrupted him, "I know this interview is all a formality, because of Edward, but, I swear I'll try my hardest. And if I don't meet your expectations, you can let me go. And I'll just tell Edward I don't like it."

He smiled gently, "Well, I'm glad you said that. I just want you to know that this is a quick paced job. Training lasts for a week, but, after that you're on your own. So, please prove to me that you can handle this job, okay? Edward is a great guy and I don't want disappoint him." He stood and shook my hand.

I smiled, "Thank you, I promise I won't disappoint you."

He nodded and opened the door, "I'll show you around."

We walked around the kitchen, he introduced me to several people quickly as they were working. He also showed me the uniforms, which consisted of a pair of black pants that weren't jeans, and a collared white shirt with a black waist apron.

"Now, this is the main floor. We keep seven waiters on the floor, plus three for helping things move smoother. You'll start off as a helper to the floor waiters. You know, cleaning the tables, help bring out dishes, stuff like that," He said.

"Sounds pretty easy," I said.

"Yeah, well, you'll be doing that for a couple of weeks before I decide to put you on the floor." He said, placing his hand on my back. I stiffened and couldn't help but be fully aware of his hand.

"I'll introduce you to all the waiters on Monday, when you start. You need to be here an hour before opening so you can help get everything clean for the day." He said, his hand still not off my back as he led me back into the kitchen.

I wanted to jerk away from him, but, he'd just given me a job and I couldn't be rude. But, his hand was… I just hated that he was touching me.

I sighed in relief when his hand left my back. Edward was standing in Marcus's office, looking over some paperwork.

He smiled, "Hey, how'd everything go?"

"It went very well, I have high expectations for this young lady," Marcus said, once again putting his hand on my back. I knew he didn't mean for it to be aggressive or anything ill-will, but, I just couldn't stand it.

Edward's eyes narrowed just a bit, "That's great. Well, I need to get going, Bella, you ready?"

I nodded enthusiastically, "Yep."

Edward grabbed my hand and we walked out of the restaurant. I noted that his mood seemed to shift. Which, put me on alert; Edward was always in a great mood.

"A-are you okay?" I asked in a small voice when I slid into his car.

He looked over, "Yeah, I'm okay. Why?"

I shrugged my shoulders and looked out of my window. I bit my lip; I knew I had seen his eyes narrow, he was obviously annoyed with something. Maybe I did something wrong? Or maybe he didn't like that I let Marcus put his hand on my back.

I jumped when his hand grabbed mine. He retracted it quickly.

"I'm sorry," he apologized, "I didn't mean to scare you."

I shook my head, "Y-You didn't I was just kind of lost in thought."

He sighed gently, "I forgot how observant you are, and I'm guessing you noticed my mood change."

I nodded, "It's okay though."

"No, I'm sorry I didn't explain it to you," He said, "I wasn't irritated with anything you did, but I saw how scared you looked when Marcus's hand was on your back. And I just wish you didn't feel so… afraid of people."

I frowned, "I'm sorry—,"

"No, no, no," He stopped me, "Don't apologize, it's not your fault. I just wish there was something I could do to help you feel at ease."

I looked down at my hands, "You help me so much, and it's fine. I'm just not crazy about physical contact."

"You know, my mom is a great psychologist. She could help you feel better and have more confidence in yourself," He said, "I wish you'd go see her."

I bit my lip, "I know. I just hate talking about everything. And she's your mother. I don't really want to meet her in that position and unload all of my problems onto her."

"I didn't even consider that," he said, "If I got you the name of another psychologist, would you think about going? Someone who wasn't my mother."

"I would think about it. I know it's a good idea and that I should go. But, I'm just worried that when I start to talk about all that stuff I'll have a harder time." I said.

"It might be a little difficult at first, but, in the long run, it'd help you," he said as he reached over and kissed my forehead, "Consider it, I'll bring back names. I'll see you later?"

I smiled, "See you later."

So, Bella has a job now. And Edward is as sweet as always. As always, leave me a little review of how you liked or disliked the chapter.